Volvo Cars is taking a bold lead with electrification in the auto industry. As the first major premium car brand to commit to a hybrid or full-electric powertrain for all our models, we are driving the automotive sector forward and redefining what it means to drive responsibly and luxuriously. As the world races toward a greener future, Volvo’s steadfast commitment to safety means that our electrified vehicles will protect you and your loved ones while preserving the planet. More than just an EV, a Volvo Cars electrified vehicle sets a new standard for sustainable mobility and paves the way toward a better future. Safe for today, and sustainable for tomorrow.
18
Developer Kaeley Wiseman arms nonprofits and community landowners with an entrepreneurial approach to building.
BY ERIN SKILLEN22
From smart buildings to recycled materials, contractors are discovering the profit in sustainability.
BY ANDREW FINDLAY32
Power Tools
Women comprise only five per cent of workers on B.C.’s job sites. Some industry leaders are out to change that.
BY SHANNON MONEO
Vancouver Island has quietly become a booming centre of seaweed production, for artisan and commercial harvesters alike.
BY KEN WINCHESTER
46
Here’s how to evaluate and protect your business’s physical space and the well-being of your employees.
BY KEN WINCHESTERPower Tools, p. 32
Banking on Seaweed, p. 40
8 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
11 IN THE KNOW
Revival Stillworks fuels the distilling boom; the Malahat Nation is on a “solar road”; where Victoria’s realestate market is headed; a practical guide to time management; old is new again at ReStore; our favourite business blogs.
48 LIFE + STYLE
Choosing an electric bike; why everyone you know is playing pickleball; Vancouver’s Toptable Group launches its first Victoria restaurant.
50 INTEL
50 SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BUSINESS BOOK
Whether for promotion or profit, publishing can be a minefield. BY ALEX VAN TOL
52 SECOND ACTS & SAGE ADVICE
Cross-generational networking pays off for new workers and veterans alike. BY JIM HAYHURST
54 DID YOU KNOW Vancouver Island’s construction scene, by the numbers.
South Island Prosperity Partnership members come from every sector and every corner of Greater Victoria to champion smart economic growth in the region.
They are business, government, First Nations and community leaders who bring ideas and energy to the table to build a more resilient economy.
They know we are stronger when we work together.
Through our work as labour and employment lawyers on the South Island, we support employers and businesses to thrive, grow and succeed. By joining SIPP we’ve expanded our network across various sectors in our region and we welcome the opportunity to help build a strong and vibrant economy where we can all live and work now and well into the future.
Marcia McNeil* and Jessica Thomson* Victoria Partners Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP *personal law corporation
Only one network delivers a standard of service designed to elevate your property as one of its own. The expansive Sotheby’s International Realty network achieved $167 billion in global sales volume, reaching nearly every corner of the globe, with more than 1,000 offices in 81 countries. Our global marketing platform and distinguished brand positioning maximizes the potential value for your home regardless of your home’s size, neighbourhood or price point. We believe every client deserves the exceptional.
Only one network delivers a standard of service designed to elevate your property as one of its own. The expansive Sotheby’s International Realty network achieved $167 billion in global sales volume, reaching nearly every corner of the globe, with more than 1,000 offices in 81 countries. Our global marketing platform and distinguished brand positioning maximizes the potential value for your home regardless of your home’s size, neighbourhood or price point. We believe every client deserves the exceptional.
THE WORD “BUILDING” MEANS MORE than construction, more than working with brick and mortar, glass and steel. It’s about planning the future of Greater Victoria, from designing affordable housing to addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers. There are lively discussions about these subjects taking place at City Hall, businesses and job sites across Greater Victoria, and we’re here to listen and weigh in on the issues and opportunities.
We live in an enviable place of natural beauty, rich history and a close-knit business community of collegial intent, full of entrepreneurial opportunities.
But it all comes at a cost. After Toronto and Vancouver, Victoria has become the third most expensive city in Canada, with single-family housing topping the million-dollar mark. In this edition of Douglas we cover the often thorny issues that surround that growth. But there’s good news, too. Both the building sector and local governments, often hesitant to adapt to future trends, are slowly but surely facing the future. As developer Kaeley Wiseman, in our In Conversation feature, says, “I see more locally and ethically sourced materials, efforts in waste reduction and increased quality of life for our workforces.”
We also ask, and answer, questions such as: Why are there so few women in the building trades, an industry that sorely needs skilled workers? In the current real-estate market, should I buy or rent? How is the construction industry addressing sustainability?
Finally, we look at a humble resource that we often take for granted — seaweed — and how it may transform the business of aquaculture on Vancouver Island.
Sometimes my job as editor is, well, immersive. I had the pleasure of wading in the shallow waters of Muir Creek at low tide with marine biologist Amanda Swinimer, founder of Dakini Tidal Wilds, identifying various edible seaweed. Her eagle eye pointed out everything from winged kelp to nori. It turns out that Vancouver Island is becoming an epicentre of commercial seaweed production not just in Canada, but in North America. In this issue you’ll meet both the artisans and the corporate leaders who are making it happen.
So join us as we explore everything from concrete to kelp. •
— Ken Winchester, Editor
“We live in an enviable place of natural beauty, rich history and a close-knit business community.”
douglasmagazine.com
VOLUME 17 NUMBER 4
PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos, Georgina Camilleri
EDITOR IN CHIEF Joanne Sasvari
EDITOR Ken Winchester
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet
PRODUCTION MANAGER Jennifer Kühtz
DIGITAL MARKETING CONSULTANT Amanda Wilson
LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Caroline Segonnes
ASSOCIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Janice Hildybrant
MARKETING COORDINATOR Claire Villaraza
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Lauren Ingle
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Deana Brown, Will Gillis, Cynthia Hanischuk, Brenda Knapik
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andrew Findlay, Jim Hayhurst, Shannon Moneo, Geoff Russ, Erin Skillen, Alex Van Tol
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Adair, Nik West
PROOFREADER Lionel Wild
EDITORIAL INTERN Liam Razzell
CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Getty Images p. 14, 15, 46, 48, 49, 50
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COVER
Alison Whelan, Green Island Builders
Photo by Jeffrey Bosdet
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BY KEN WINCHESTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY BOSDET
“Revival” is a fitting name for a small group of craftspeople and metalworkers in Sidney who are turning out some of the finest stills in North America. Engineers Brandon Fry and Darcy Lane founded Revival Stillworks in 2019 to help fuel the movement by providing planning, engineering, manufacturing and support for craft distillers. All of their equipment is designed and manufactured locally by their team of coppersmiths, welders and fabricators, and shipped all over North America and as far afield as Australia. Their stills combine the best of centuriesold tradition and modern technology.
Inside a nondescript warehouse near YYJ, Revival is a hive of activity, with copper and steel distilling equipment scattered in various stages of fabrication. The gleaming copper pots and columns are not just esthetically pleasing, they serve an important purpose in the distilling process. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and also acts to remove nasty sulphur compounds from the spirit. Plus, it looks downright beautiful.
The design and configuration of a still can vary dramatically depending on the type of spirit, the volume and the style a customer demands. Revival spends many hours with a prospective client analyzing production goals as well as details like permits and compliance issues, fire safety and storage needs. Only then will fabrication begin. A midsize still, say 1,000 litres with a side column able to produce anything from whisky to rum, would run about $150,000 and up, depending on bells and whistles.
Currently there are half a dozen stills in production, some as huge as 5,000 litres. Revival’s business goals are to grow slowly but steadily, by specializing in custom work rather than stock. Says sales director Mike Lewis, “No two stills we build are the same. There’s no such thing as off the shelf.” •
the Malahat First Nation has taken a huge step toward long-term energy independence. In collaboration with Vancouver-based clean-energy companies Solar Earth Technologies and Shift Clean Energy, the Nation will solarize one of its administration buildings, which doubles as an emergency response centre.
Solar Earth will install cutting-edge panels in hardscapes around the building, and a Shift energy storage system will stow captured energy. The 370-member Malahat community, whose lands are located northwest of Victoria on the west side of the Saanich Inlet, has completed solar projects like this before, but none using innovative paving-integrated panels.
The Nation has long-term business and economic development goals that include a proposed film studio. It also owns a 55-acre business park used for commercial and light-industrial activities, which include a biodiesel production facility and cardlock. The Nation wants to add businesses to the park, which in turn will increase energy demands.
A bold new project will move the Malahat First Nation closer to energy independence.
“We have heard from BC Hydro that we’re pushing up against what they can supply over the long term.”
SOLAR POWER
BURNING BRIGHT
Currently, the Nation is reliant on BC Hydro for most of its energy needs. Tristan Gale, the Nation’s executive director of environment and sustainable development and acting director of economic development, says, “We have heard from BC Hydro that we’re pushing up against what they can supply over the long term.” The Nation’s business and economic development goals account for this possible shortfall.
Gale says long-term member prosperity and economic development are at stake if they can’t bridge a possible energy deficit.
But the Nation has a plan to do so with clean energy. Solutions include using more solar technology to capture energy in the summer months and shoulder seasons. They are also looking into the possibility of using their man-made lake to generate hydroelectric power in the winter months. They’re also seeking cleaner energy solutions to power part of their industrial operations on the Bamberton Lands, which currently run on generators.
The Malahat expect their Solar Earth/Shift project — the first of its kind in Canada — to be completed this summer. •
TO the recent National Bank of Canada’s Housing Affordability Report, Victoria, Toronto and Vancouver rank as the three most expensive cities in Canada to purchase a home.
In Victoria, the average detached home now costs over $1.4 million — meaning you would need an annual household income of $176,000 and have to save for over 20 years to purchase a home. For a condo with an average price of $570,000, a buyer with an annual household income of $108,000 would need to save for almost four years.
The current market in a nutshell: For better or worse, the British Columbia housing market is on the rise.
This year has seen several months in a row of increased home sales and rising prices in the province. Since June 2022, B.C.’s average residential price has risen more than 20 per cent to $991,648 (both single-family and condos).
While high interest rates helped bring prices closer to earth toward the beginning of 2023, low supply is helping push them right back up.
What could be coming: First-time buyers in Victoria
could be in store for a frustrating short-term market. If the economy tips into a recession and fixed mortgage rates remain uncertain, it may likely entice more buyers into the market to battle it out over fewer properties.
In cases like this, people can feel pressured to buy a home before prices fully rebound. Ironically, the competition this creates tends to push prices even higher.
What buyers can do: In addition to pouncing on lower fixed rates, homebuyers can also improve buying power by decreasing their total debt service ratio — the percentage of annual income required to cover all other debts and loans. Lowering the TDS can encourage lenders to loan more money or offer more competitive interest rates. It’s a tough ask with inflation being as high as it is, but paying off credit cards and loans before starting the mortgage process can make buying a home a lot easier.
Another step to consider is getting pre-approved for a mortgage now rather than waiting for the market to heat up. Once you’re preapproved, you’ll be able to make an offer sellers can put some faith in.•
The bad news: Inventory is tight and prices are rising.
B.C.’s average residential price has risen more than 20% to $991,648
Detached home average price: $1.4 million
Condo average price: $570,000Sources: Nerd Wallet, The National Bank of Canada, BCREA, VREB JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE
What if you stopped trying to do everything, so that you could finally get around to what counts?
Nobody needs to be told there isn’t enough time. Whether starting a business or trying to write a novel during a lunch break, or staring down a pile of deadlines while planning a vacation, we’re all obsessed with our lengthening to-do lists, overfilled inboxes, worklife balance and the ceaseless struggle against distraction. We’re deluged with advice on becoming more productive and efficient and life hacks to optimize our days. Still, we rarely make the connection between our daily struggles with time and the ultimate timemanagement problem: How best to use our ridiculously brief time on the planet, which amounts on average to about 4,000 weeks?
Drawing on the insights of philosophers, psychologists and spiritual teachers, Oliver Burkeman delivers an entertaining, humorous and ultimately practical guide to time and time management. Rejecting the modern obsession with “getting everything done,” Four Thousand Weeks introduces readers to tools for constructing a meaningful life by embracing finitude, showing that many of the unhelpful ways we’ve come to think about time aren’t inescapable, unchanging truths, but choices we’ve made as individuals and as a society — and that we can do things differently.
Says Adam Grant in the New York Times, “This is the most important book ever written about time management.” •
BY GEOFF RUSSvictoria’s new bylaw imposing a deposit fee on permits for demolishing older houses has sparked opportunity for ReStore, a retailer selling recycled building materials that is operated by Habitat for Humanity. Both locations, in Victoria and Langford, appeal to homeowners and contractors alike
“We accept a wide variety of materials depending on inventory levels and our ability to resell them,” says James Spice, manager of ReStore’s Langford location. “Material can come from homeowners tearing down a house, in line with the recent bylaw in Victoria, or it could come from larger projects under construction.”
Last summer, the City of Victoria passed a bylaw adding a $19,500 deposit fee onto permits for demolishing a single-family house or duplex built before 1960. The deposit is then returned by
the City if the permit-holder salvages 40 kilograms of wood from the demolished house. In 2025, the bylaw will be extended to include all single-family home and duplex demolitions with the purpose of replacing them with multifamily housing.
ReStore then resells donated furniture, décor, appliances, windows, lumber and other homebuilding materials. ReStore’s revenues in turn help fund Habitat for Humanity, a registered charity, which builds houses for lower-income families in Greater Victoria.
However, not all recycled material from teardowns is suitable for new homes, according to Casey Edge, executive director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association. “There’s a big misconception that you can just pull out windows or wood and put them in a new home; you just can’t do that,” says Edge.
Habitat for Humanity’s donation guidelines mandate that wood must be less than five years old and cannot be scraps or partially used pieces of wood.
“It has to meet the building code,” says Edge. “A lot of wood that comes out of older buildings doesn’t meet that criteria, so it’s best recycled as fuel.”
Spice says ReStore’s materials are generally suited to do-it-yourselfers, but contractors often purchase material as well.
Bigger construction projects are often left with unused new material like lumber and plywood that can be repurposed. He says the use of recycled materials is only going to grow, and anticipates the bylaw will be extended beyond single-family homes in the coming years.
Says Spice: “Reuse and recycling are something that people in Victoria are passionate about.” •
Marie ForleoFind advice on startups … marketing do’s and don’ts … female entrepreneurship … and plenty of colourful opinions.
Her content is centred on female entrepreneurship and personal development. Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins and Oprah, among many others, have featured her work.
Noobpreneur
Topics range from marketing to business development, technology, investment opportunities and even trends like nonfungible tokens (NFTs) or fluctuating business rent.
ReStore diverts construction waste from the dump and funds affordable housing.
Victoria.
THE VICTORIA BUSINESS HUB in Centennial Square is a welcoming and collaborative first point of contact for business startups, relocations, expansions, investors, property owners and leasing agents — anyone interested in building prosperity in Victoria. Services are offered via appointments or drop-in, and a good place to start is an email. A business ambassador will help navigate the City’s licensing processes, connect with relevant agencies in the community and direct clients to other provincial and federal resources. The Business Hub was created to help small businesses get their companies up and running as soon as possible, and work with all departments of the City to make the experience as painless as possible.
The Business Hub’s services include:
Demystifying business and development processes at City Hall.
Making it easier to do business in Victoria.
Advising on how to reduce unnecessary red tape.
Connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need.
Accelerating the development of a vibrant downtown.
Then there’s BizPal, an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with access to information about business permits, licences and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow a business. Both services are free. • bizhub@victoria.ca
Becky McCray’s blog is divided into three main categories: dreaming, doing and growing, and levelling up.
Duct Tape shares realworld small-business sales and marketing tips and advice. Topics range from content marketing and social media to lead generation.
The simple goal of the City Hall Business Hub is to make it easier to do business in
Shortly after moving to Vancouver Island in 1948, Roy Tidman built his first house — his own. That Brentwood Bay home was just the start of what would become Tidman Construction, which, 75 years later, is still one of Victoria’s most respected residential builders and the oldest familyowned custom home builder on the Island.
Roy, a father of six, was followed in the business by his sons Ron, a builder, and John, whose interest was in design. In the 1990s, John’s son Andrew, who had studied architecture at university, joined the family business, too.
Although the company is best known for its award-winning custom homes and renovations, it has also constructed bigger projects like the Munro Centre, Gorge Pointe Condominiums
and Arbutus Ridge, as well as Keating Industrial Park and the Landmark Building in Sidney.
Among many other awards, both John and Andrew have received the Canadian Homebuilder’s Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Their customer base reflects their family and company values, and the Tidmans have built lifelong relationships with many of their clients.
Now celebrating 75 years, Tidman Construction carries on Roy’s lifetime legacy of building excellence, integrity and customer service: cornerstones of the Tidman Construction business.
Accessibility is about more than wheelchair ramps; it embraces financial needs, sustainability and stages of life.
BY ERIN SKILLEN | PHOTO BY JEFFREY BOSDET
Rather than reinforcing the status quo, Kaeley Wiseman is leading Wiser Development and Wiser Projects on a boldly progressive path. By creating community-led projects with a positive impact, Wiseman and her female-dominated team are setting an inspirational new standard for transparency, collaboration and development.
For more than a decade, Wiseman has supported clients in strategic, financial, environmental, cultural and social planning. Her background as a planner and project manager allows her to “speak the language” of her partners, especially the non-profit sector.
She is also a professor in the Master of Community Planning program at Vancouver Island University, a guest lecturer at the University of Victoria and a member of several boards related to housing and development.
How is your approach different from the standard way things are done in the building trade?
Increasingly, we’re working with non-profit and community landowners with significant portfolios, whether it’s faith-based groups, large historic housing providers or governments. Faithbased groups, including churches, have 10 to 15 per cent of [Capital Regional District’s] land assets. Their purpose, scale of their holdings, changing needs, demands of their members and financial realities are causing them to reconsider their mandates and new, sustainable ways to deliver them.
We “arm” the non-profit sector with an entrepreneurial approach through a vision, mission and values. We support development that’s truly led from its infancy through the mission of the organization. Rather than design towards a very specific outcome, whether financial returns or a physical product, the community’s needs and mission guide our process. This results in a more unique product that specifically addresses the need while ensuring value alignment with the owner and future residents.
What is Wiser Development and why did you create it?
I started a non-profit arm of our company at the end of last year, when it became clear that we needed an entity to meet some clients non-profit to non-profit. There are a lot of additional requirements for non-profits, such as more transparent reporting. This work told me that we can do business in a different way. We’re transitioning our private company to B-Corp certification. At any time we’re engaging at least 50 consultants, from architects to engineers; environmental, geotech, you name it.
What does taking a community approach versus a traditional approach to development mean to you?
It’s viewing every decision through a “values lens” right from the beginning of the project. For example, we support the Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets in asset management, which is an amazing opportunity. We started by developing a decision-making framework that guides projects in being transparent and missionled. From there, we created planning and design principles that frame all of their sites and opportunities. These include targets like net-zero, accessibility, and cultural and reconciliation considerations for each site. These principles give communities, members and government partners certainty in the quality of the project and process. We also hope this inspires other groups to do things differently.
Tell us about the work that you do with Indigenous communities. We work with First Nation alliances that represent various Indigenous governments and partnerships that have shared territories, values or needs, and directly with communities. The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness is one partner, and their reach supports First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities from across Canada currently residing on Vancouver Island.
Before we start working with an Indigenous community, we explore how we can engage Nation members on the project. Where can we include them in our project, actually working with us on the technical side? And if that's not possible, is there someone who wants to expand their expertise by learning alongside us, so in five or 10 years we’ve worked our way out of a job.
We’re currently working with over 50
communities and always come away with so much knowledge that we then share freely. The work has the opportunity to lift everybody up.
How are things changing for women in your sector?
I find women really excel at balancing the “blue sky and pavement” thinking required for this work. Honestly, we’ve gotten some of our business because our clients have been working with what I call the “suits” and it doesn’t serve their needs. That suit approach of being bottom-line driven, not being able to speak to diverse stakeholders, not understanding the value in experience, especially with more vulnerable populations, is no longer something they need to accept. We increasingly have people who identify as female in leadership and decision-making positions and they’re seeking more alignment with their partners and consultants from a philosophical, strategic and ethical perspective.
What do you see happening in the industry moving forward?
I think there’s going to be higher expectations from the private sector to undertake more transparent and truly community-aligned projects. There’s such a lack of trust between public, non-profit and private-sector developers, but it takes all of us to realize our community housing needs together. To me, this includes transparency in what drives us, what we need to deliver and making space for doing it differently.
I see more locally and ethically sourced materials, efforts in waste reduction and increased quality of life for our labour forces. There’s an opportunity to educate politicians and the public on what it takes to deliver these housing projects. It’s increasingly complex, expensive and challenging. If people know what it takes, they may be more sympathetic to the barriers in delivering housing for them, their children and their neighbours.
What does “affordable housing” mean to you?
While we work with CMHC and BC Housing, we play in whatever box we have to. [The
“Affordable housing must be adaptable to life situations and be financially attainable.”
project] has to be accessible. It has to be sustainable. It’s got to be adaptable to people’s changing needs. That’s a big one for us because a lot of people get displaced from their housing when their situation changes. If they have kids, now they’re suddenly underhoused. Or the kids move out of the house, now they’re really overhoused.
Affordable housing must be adaptable to life situations and be financially attainable. And accessible from where they are at their stage in life. No one wants to leave their single-family homes where I live, in rural Saanich. As planners, you see the Ministry [of Housing] saying that they’ll be abolishing traditional residential housing and opening up opportunities, so that I don’t have to leave rural Saanich. Someone can build a fourplex that is accessible. So when I’m 60 and single I can move in there. Those policy changes are starting to make everyone think, “Hey, can we deliver something different than just the six-storey cube?” It’s good to see everyone thinking outside of the box. •
“Our relationship [with Wiser Projects] started from working on a master plan for the cathedral precinct, between Quadra and Vancouver and Burdett and Rockland. It’s a large downtown piece of property. We wanted to reimagine how this site can both continue to serve the community, but also ensure a future for ourselves. In this shifting context of religious participation, we need to think creatively about how we use what we have to continue our mission.
“Kaeley brings technical expertise, but also a value alignment in how we want to approach this work. Very community minded, very ecologically sensitive and also creative. And she’s got this network of relationships in the field, which is so valuable.
“In a couple of cases, there have been projects that are not ours, where we’ve been able to collaborate to make some of our land available for a project. In Duncan, they’re building a seniors’ housing project. Kaeley brought us together for this common purpose. Those are opportunities that we wouldn’t have accessed without Kaeley.”
BY ANDREW FINDLAY
Andrew Chapman drops a tool belt on the tailgate of his truck and takes a deep swig of water. It’s hot, too hot for May on the 49th parallel, and a vivid reminder that climate experts are predicting 2023 to be the warmest year on record. This Victoria-based builder is down to the short strokes and finishing details on this construction project. Michelangelo had the Sistine Chapel. Chapman has this three-storey house on Musgrave Street in Oak Bay with a bank of solar panels on the roof. The house embodies as many of Chapman’s green design and construction aspirations as he could possibly finance without going bankrupt. It’s also where his wife, two young kids and at some point aging members of their extended families will live. It’s his vision for a more sustainable future for the building sector, and it’s a mountain to climb. The built environment — houses, office towers, warehouses, shopping malls and everything with a roof overhead — tends to get lost in discussions about climate change and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Yet, when you consider the manufacture and transport of materials, construction and the process of heating and cooling them, buildings account for nearly 40 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions. That’s why 20 years ago, when Chapman looked at pivoting out of the adventure tourism sector into a job that could have real on-the-ground positive impacts on sustainability, he chose to pick up a hammer and start building homes.
“Our starting point for this project was to consider the future this house will serve and ask, ‘What is the most appropriate building we can construct today within the existing regulatory framework?’ ” Chapman told Douglas magazine over a break at the Musgrave Street construction site.
The 3,000-square-foot house plus detached garage is designed to passive home standards, aimed at maximizing comfort and health while generating as much of its energy as possible on site. Chapman predicts solar panels will provide enough electricity to power the house and charge an electric vehicle.
Building materials were mostly sourced locally and selected for durability, natural content, recyclability and the storage of greenhouse gasses. On-site rainwater harvesting will irrigate gardens. Chapman designed it to be easily adaptable to include water purification that would make it clean enough for drinking, showering and other domestic uses.
He also had human needs in mind when he put pen to paper during the design phase. “The house is designed for multi-generational living and to support aging in place, with the tandem goals of independence and family support,” Chapman explains, adding that the basement has wheelchair access and there’s backing in strategic places like bathrooms for the future installation of handrails.
The house is built to be convertible into four independent dwelling units, which required soundproofing some of the interior walls and additional investment in electrical services. It’s for a future when the regulatory environment changes to allow for increased densification, something Chapman says would never be allowed under the current zoning in Oak Bay.
“The City of Victoria has a lot of messaging around sustainability, but in reality they’re not that progressive,” Chapman says.
“What is the most appropriate building we can construct today within the existing regulatory framework?”JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE Chapman points to Vancouver’s density bonuses and incentives, which encourage green building, as a model for Victoria to follow.
He points to Vancouver, which has density bonusing bylaws to incentivize green building. With the added revenue from building more units on a given property, developers are able to offset the considerable additional costs of building a more sustainable project. In other words, it’s starting to make economic sense to build green in Vancouver.
Alas, not so on Musgrave Street. Chapman estimates he would have trimmed at least $250,000 from the cost of the build if he had simply built a conventional stickframed house. “I have two kids, age seven and nine. One of the big things for me was if I talk about climate change with them, then keep building trophy houses for the one per cent, I won’t be able to look them in the eyes,” he says.
In Saanich, Aryze Developments is building a 68-unit apartment complex designed to Step 4 standards. In 2017, the province established the Energy Step Code Council in an effort to support the transition to net-zero, energy-ready buildings. The code starts at Step 1, a modest 10-per-cent increase in energy efficiency over current building code standards, to Step 5, the gold standard of net-zero building where the total amount of energy used in a year equals the amount of renewable energy generated on site. With its Saanich project, Aryze is aiming for Step 4, or a 40-per-cent increase in energy efficiency.
Meeting this target requires a lot of little decisions, says Michelle Griffin, a project manager for Aryze. For example, the building features a roof with R-40 insulation exterior walls that have an additional two inches of rigid insulation, and spray-foam insulation on the parkade ceiling adds energy efficiency to ground-floor units. The apartment complex also features an energy recovery ventilation system and doubleglazed vinyl windows throughout.
According to Griffin, it requires an act of altruism by the owner to take on these green measures.
“Normally the owner would recover those costs in the amount of rent, but there’s no way in this current market that you could ethically charge more,” Griffin says. “It would be great if there were more incentives for owners and builders to push green projects.”
To be fair, Victoria is taking some baby steps toward greening up the building sector. As of January 2020, all new residential and commercial construction must be built to Step 3 standards, or 20 per cent more efficient than current building code standards. The city is also taking aim at construction waste, another huge bane of the sector. A 2022 study called the Circular Gap Report showed that globally more than 91 per cent of all products made by humans
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end their life in greenhouse-gas-emitting, land-consuming garbage dumps.
In December 2020, the City of Victoria adopted Zero Waste Victoria, which aims to cut waste in half by 2040. The plan comes with some concrete actions that target single-use products (plastic cutlery, for example), the city’s own solid wastes and construction waste, which accounts for more than a third of landfill material. Last year the City introduced a bylaw that will charge companies $19,500 for a demolition permit, but with a catch: If they salvage at least 40 kilograms of wood per aboveground square metre of floor area during construction, they get all the money back. The City will begin charging the refundable demo fee this coming September and by the time the bylaw is fully rolled out in 2025, it will apply to all demos of houses and duplexes built before 1960. This will divert an estimated 3,000 tonnes of construction material from the landfill annually.
It’s not just two-by-fours and plywood clogging landfills. Contaminated soils are another waste product developers and builders have to deal with. A Nanaimobased company, GRT, has seized an opportunity to turn contaminated soil from costly waste into clean products that builders will pay for. GRT got its start back in 2019 on a dredging project in Victoria Harbour, when the founders realized the absurdity of sending bargeloads of this material to a landfill south of the border in Washington State. Not only does this material use up valuable landfill space, transporting it has a high carbon footprint. It’s the same story for builders — dealing with contaminated soils is costly in terms of trucking and tipping fees, and transporting it burns up fossil fuels.
With the help of an Industrial Research Assistance Program grant, GRT developed a
process of washing contaminated material with water. When it comes out the other end of the process, GRT uses it in a range of products, from pea gravel and sand to crushed rock, that are in high demand in building and landscaping projects. Instead of trucking contaminated material to the landfill and driving back to base empty, customers can pay GRT a competitive tipping fee to dump off soil and return to the site with a truckload of clean construction material. Surprisingly, with landfills bursting their boundaries across North America, Peter Reid, company CEO and engineer, believes GRT is the only company on the continent to tap into this business.
“We’re taking a product that was waste before and extracting 95 per cent of it to make new products,” he says. “Just five per cent of the material we take in ends up at the landfill.”
This significant Vancouver Island business and waste-diversion success story is one small victory in the slow-moving effort to green up the way we build.
Building better couldn’t happen faster for John Gower, of John Gower Design in Courtenay. Like Andrew Chapman, he got into the business of housing, albeit from the design side of the equation, with an idealistic vision to help move the needle on sustainability.
“We know that our homes have a huge impact in terms of climate change,” Gower says during an interview at his Courtenay office.
If Gower had it his way he’d be designing homes all the time like the one he did for a couple in Smithers who went the extra mile on sustainability. Among many efficiency measures, the house features a solar thermal hot water system, thick walls, a methane digester that turns agricultural waste into usable gas for household purposes and an earth tube (a buried
ventilation duct that naturally preheats incoming ventilation air in the winter and cools it in the summer).
“I have a lot of people who come to me and say they want a passive house. But when it comes to sitting down and talking about the details, the square footage, the style of the houses, and the cost, sustainability slips to sixth or seventh on the list of priorities,” Gower says.
He admits the additional upfront costs for energy-efficient design can be tough to swallow when construction costs are already sky-high. (In Victoria, a conventional custom home can cost anywhere from $400 to $500 per square foot.)
“I have a lot of people who come to me and say they want a passive house. But when it comes to sitting down and talking ... sustainability slips to sixth or seventh on the list of priorities.”Nanaimo-based GRT has developed a process that turns contaminated soil into clean building products, from pea gravel and sand to crushed rock. It’s believed to be the only company in North America to have ventured into this business.
Gower lives in Creekside Commons, a two-minute walk from his office. The development features on-site stormwater management, greenspace, communal gardens and shared community space. It’s a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough on the sustainability scale for Gower, and he says it’s in danger of becoming a place dominated by retirees, which isn’t great for his budding teenage daughter. That’s why he and some partners made an offer on a piece of property in Cumberland, where he hopes he’d be able to build his vision of sustainable and diverse co-housing. He admits it’s a dream at this point.
He feels the regulatory environment has been as slow to change as the general public’s willingness to shift their expectations around what four walls and a roof overhead means. “We need smaller houses and fewer single-family detached homes. The fact is the size of the average house has doubled since the 1960s,” Gower says.
Back on Musgrave Street, Andrew Chapman puts it this way:
“There are many benefits to increasing the density of existing neighbourhoods rather than continuing to pave over our coastal rainforest, farmland and wetlands as we have for the past 150 years.” •
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Since 2002, Green Island Builders has been in operation, making good on the “green” in its name. This boutique building company focuses on residential and light commercial renovations, offering general contracting services with strong project coordination and very skilled carpenters who work under the company vision to “… reimagine and recreate spaces that allow people to live their best life in a healthy and highly functional home environment.”
In order to deliver on that mission, Director Martin Scaia says Green Island Builders employs “... simple, everyday practices which use our knowledge and skills to reduce waste, preserve existing structures as much as possible, eliminate hazardous practices — and do better. We utilize our resources wisely in the belief of a cleaner and greener future.”
For years, Green Island Builders has
helped homeowners who not only want things like a better layout, more space or a more energy-efficient home, but also those who understand that well-managed urban density is a key quality for sustainability. Therefore, they have also specialized in adding secondary suites and performing garage or laneway house conversions.
Being an industry leader both in social capital and resource conservation, they have not limited their efforts simply to the planning and execution of residential and commercial projects. Green Island Builders diverts almost all their waste products from the landfill and donates used materials and goods to Habitat for Humanity.
All proceeds generated from the sale of used materials and goods goes to two local organizations, and Green Island Builders is doing what it can as an organization to contribute toward Reconciliation and
Decolonization by choosing to contribute money and resources to support two incredible Indigenous female-led organizations: the Matriarch Resistance and the Culture Den.
Green Island Builders is making a difference in the construction industry. It is a small organization where each person within it has a role in ensuring local business actively invites more diversity into the workforce. The company hires individuals regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or disabilities.
“Together, we build successful projects because we put the work in to build diverse, inclusive teams of committed people,” Scaia says. “These relationships based on trust and this work built on purpose is how Green Island Builders’ culture is transforming the construction industry.”
Save the date – the 17th Annual State of the Island Economic Summit is back in action on October 25 and 26, 2023, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, B.C.
Presented by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA), this transformative event has been a driving force in fostering connections, igniting ideas and propelling innovation for Vancouver Island’s economic growth for well over a decade. Whether you are an established business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, community leader or passionate advocate for the region, the Summit is made for you.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill business conference. Featuring a diverse range of engaging sessions, thought-provoking panel discussions, interactive workshops and action labs, this event will delve deep into the issues driving our economic landscape.
As an attendee, you’ll gain valuable insights into emerging trends, innovative practices and game-changing technologies that are revolutionizing industries across Vancouver Island and the rural islands. Your participation will play an integral role in steering the region toward sustainable growth, economic resilience and positive change.
Get ready for a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate and build meaningful partnerships with like-minded individuals who are as passionate about shaping the future of Vancouver Island as you. With an exciting trade show boasting over 40 exhibitors, abundant networking chances and a collaborative atmosphere, you’ll have the ideal setting to explore new business opportunities and create valuable relationships.
But wait, there’s more! Brace yourself for a delightful evening of celebration
as we commemorate the remarkable five-year journey of Island Good. Join us on Wednesday, October 25, for a special extravaganza filled with delectable eats, exquisite beverages and captivating live entertainment.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure your spot among industry leaders, visionaries and change-makers. Join us as we collaborate to ignite change and pave the way toward a prosperous future for Vancouver Island.
Register today at www.viea.ca
Step into the realm of custom luxury homes where innovation meets breathtaking design. This spring and summer of 2023, NZ Builders have embarked on numerous projects, but one stands out among the rest — Nanoose Project. This undertaking has captured the imagination of homeowners and builders alike.
The clients’ vision for a durable, energy-efficient and low-maintenance home led them to choose Monolith Systems Concrete Insulated Panel (CIP) technology and NZ Builders as their General Contractor. Embracing the challenges of the Pacific Northwest coastal climate, the project fuses sleek esthetics with the exceptional durability of materials and superior energy efficiency.
The homeowners decided to purchase the land, having been drawn to its stunning mountain views and waterfront location. When it came to the design, the homeowners wanted to create a residence that reflected their criteria for a durable oceanfront home that respects their capital investment. Through collaboration with a skilled design team, including the concrete construction experience of NZ Builders Ltd., they were able to bring their ideas to life and create a home that indeed expressed their unique lifestyle and values.
With the strict energy requirements approaching in 2032, the house easily meets the highest level of Step Code 5. The CIP System prevents the many common issues that contractors and homeowners experience from conventional construction practices. Monolith Systems’ concrete sandwich panels constitute a continuous layer of thick insulation surrounding the entire home. Maximizing insulation, eliminating heat loss and ensuring an air-tight structure combined with a superior Heat Recovery Ventilation system eliminates temperature fluctuations. The homeowners will experience first-hand the result of a highly comfortable and healthy living space and generational durability.
As with all NZ Builders custom homes, the team takes on each innovative project with a smile and classic NZ charm, knowing their work is a step in the right direction within the industry. They are excited about their opportunities for growth and success. As the construction journey unfolds, Nanoose Project stands as an inspiration for those embarking on their custom home visions and showcases the power of collaboration, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Camosun College has taken a lead role in attracting women like Emma Reid into construction, and offers programs in 12 trades, leading toward Red Seal certification.
karen Dearlove would love it if the workers on a construction site were divided 50/50 between men and women. But for now, the executive director for the BC Centre for Women in the Trades would be happy with a 10/90 split, which would be double what it is today. After all, she points out, “The industry and companies won’t be competitive if they don’t address inclusivity.”
Think of the trades — electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders, pipefitters and the like — and you likely think of men doing what has traditionally been seen as backbreaking work. But now, as British Columbia’s growing population needs more housing and commercial buildings, the province also needs more skilled trades, and that means more women. In fact, the BC Construction Association (BCCA) predicts that 6,000 construction jobs will be unfilled by 2032, due to labour shortages and retirements.
“We need everyone on deck,” says Rory Kulmala, CEO at the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). “We need women to work in the industry. We need skilled trades.”
The trades offer plenty of advantages: well-paying work, job security and interesting projects big and small. And, says Jessica Sidhu, a project manager with Kinetic Construction, “You’re not stuck at a desk. There are a lot of growth opportunities. You don’t have to go to school for a long time and you can learn on the job.”
But there still aren’t enough women applying, and even fewer women staying on the job. Why not? It really comes down to just one thing: “Construction is still a difficult place for women,” Dearlove says. That’s why a growing number of people in the industry are trying to build a more inclusive future on the job site.
Naomi Reinhart was working as an esthetician and wellness practitioner in 2015 when she embarked on a major home
renovation. As she collaborated with the trades workers, she drew on her early years, when her father taught carpentry at a Saskatoon high school and was always working on projects at home. “I had an understanding and respect of the skills, the dedication, the creativity,” Reinhart says.
As she got deeper into managing her own home reno, the planning, execution and hands-on tasks made the work very appealing. After her project was finished, she went to work for her contractor while completing project management courses and training via VICA.
Then, during COVID-19, while Reinhart took a break from work to homeschool her children and complete personal projects, she came across Green Island Builders. By March 2021, she had applied to work with the Greater Victoria company and was soon hired as a project manager. “Green Island has a safe environment for female workers,” Reinhart says. “It’s a blend of women and men. We all have valuable contributions. And Martin is very innovative.”
“Martin” is Martin Scaia, director of Green Island Builders. His evolution within the industry was driven by his early days, working among men who made distasteful and insulting comments about people they encountered. “It made me sick,” Scaia says.
Not long after starting Green Island, he hired his first female carpenter. Today, with a staff of about 24, Green Island has a 50/50 split between the sexes. “When you have a female carpenter, it makes it easier to hire another,” Scaia says. He believes it’s important for women to see themselves working successfully and happily at a trade that should never be undervalued. “Working with your hands is a critical skill. A lot of people can’t do it,” he says.
Scaia is also aware of female Red Seals (who have successfully completed four years of training and apprenticeships) who enter poisonous work environments and eventually quit due to harassment and outsize expectations. In fact, the BCCA estimates that after their first year on the job, half of B.C. tradeswomen quit.
The construction industry needs more tradeswomen. These organizations are working to attract them, train them — and keep them.
“What I’ve decided to do is hire first-year apprentices and help them through the entire Red Seal program,” Scaia says. He has also developed a code of conduct for his staff and clients that outlines expected behaviour. “I want to know I’m sending them into a healthy environment.”
Most of all, he wants the women to excel. “I want this company to be a leader. I want to elevate the industry,” he says. “The trades have a bad rap and for good reason. There’s all kinds of issues.”
Nipped in the Bud
Dearlove can elaborate on those issues. Sexist jokes, bullying and inappropriate touching still happen at worksites. Stalking happens. So do incidents of sexual assault. Then there’s the constant surveillance of female workers due to the belief they cannot handle the job. Male co-workers are more critical of their female peers. “There is a spectrum. What we want is to nip it in the bud, don’t let it escalate,” she says.
Kulmala, who has been CEO at VICA since 2017, admits that progress has been slow when it comes to welcoming female workers. “We’re not making headway. In some respects we’re going backward,” he says.
For instance, he notes, worksites need to accommodate women better. Women not only need to feel safe and valued, but since so many are the primary caregivers for their families, they have to be able to access childcare, drop off or pick up children at school, or stay home with sick kids or ailing parents. (Indeed, these accommodations would be beneficial for all workers.)
If you are concerned about an imbalance in the type of people you have working for you, start by evaluating the root cause.
Is it because they are not applying for the jobs in the first place? Consider actively recruiting outside your usual circles.
Are you having problems retaining them? Offer training and advancement opportunities, and find ways to accommodate valued workers who need to care for children or elderly parents.
If they are leaving because other workers make them feel unwelcome, consider creating a code of conduct and offering anti-bullying training.
Kulmala admits it will take time to embed women in the industry because changing an ingrained workplace culture is a slow process. Still, his wish is for women to represent 25 per cent of workers at construction sites.
To help reach that benchmark, VICA established its Women in Construction group in 2013. Today, WiC provides informal networking, support and career development to roughly 550 members in Greater Victoria and Nanaimo.
Sidhu is a longtime member and past chair of WiC, and was recently appointed to the Canadian Construction Association’s National Advisory Council. She entered the industry at 17, when she took a youth trades program that gave her a jump-start on college. The only female in the class of 20, she later studied carpentry and earned a diploma in Architectural and Building Technology at the B.C. Institute of Technology.
Today at Kinetic, she tackles projects big and small, ensuring contracts are in place for sub-contractors, organizing schedules and making sure supplies and workers are on site. Her goal is to be an executive at a construction company within a decade, which will go toward resolving one major issue she sees with the industry: a lack of women in leadership positions.
Still, she agrees that the deep-rooted workplace culture is difficult to uproot. “The challenges a decade ago are still challenges,” she says.
That’s where institutions like Camosun College, long a noted training ground for the trades, come in.
An “impromptu decision” took Hanna Thomas-Hofmann from running a hotel front desk to fixing hotel bathrooms. She had been working as a night auditor/ concierge at the Fairmont Empress, but was laid off as COVID-19 lingered. ThomasHofmann got antsy waiting for things to reopen. That’s when she discovered Camosun College’s Women in Trades Training program and decided to plumb the depths of a trade even though, she says, “I never grew up around tools.”
Camosun College has been offering the 12-week WITT program since 2010. It has introduced dozens of women to different
trades, offering hands-on learning, safety training and mentorship. Many students qualify for bursaries or sponsorships. “It’s a tremendous program. It allows women to try different paths,” says Heather Solomonson, co-ordinator of the program.
Once a woman completes WITT, she can move on to apprentice training at Camosun, where 12 trades with Red Seal endorsement are offered. Students attend classes for four to 10 weeks each year of the four-year program, spending the remaining weeks on the job as an apprentice and earning a solid wage.
Another option is the foundation programs, where classes to prepare
students for further training run from 24 to 30 weeks. Solomonson admits challenges do remain for female students, but adds that single dads working in the trades also face obstacles. She’s aware that employers are starting to consider how they can make worksites more family friendly.
“A huge amount of people are looking to retire and construction continues to boom. There’s a labour shortage. Employers have to look at barriers and make workplaces a positive place to work,” Solomonson says.
Sexism does exist, says ThomasHofmann, but she attributes it mostly to the different communication styles between men and women. “We want more details. Guys don’t say much,” she says.
Since discovering WITT, she has graduated from the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Foundation Program and is working as an apprentice at RedBlue Heating and Cooling. And she’s now earning as much as she did at the Empress.
She was ready for a career change, but along the way made discoveries about herself. Being able to cut and build, take on diverse jobs and produce something tangible are positive aspects of her new vocation. “I much prefer using my hands than working at a computer, and you don’t have to put on a face for the public. You don’t have to be prim and proper,” she says. “And it’s more fun to play with tools.”
Her simple advice to a woman considering a trades career? “Don’t be afraid to try something new!”
To attract women, Dearlove says businesses need to consider three key areas: recruitment, retention and advancement.
Companies should be encouraged to hire female apprentices and seriously commit to their training. Those apprentices will eventually become valuable Red Seal tradespeople. To retain women, the longstanding noxious work culture has to be decontaminated. And because women are often caregivers, allowances have to be made for their dual roles. And employers with biases need to be educated.
One key request from the B.C. Centre for Women in the Trades is to make anti-bullying and harassment training mandatory at all apprenticeship programs. The provincial government has made attempts to address the problem with initiatives such as the Builders Code, a code of conduct for construction workers.
The centre was created in 2018 as a way to increase the five per cent of tradespeople who are women to 50, 25, even 10 per cent of the workforce. Dearlove concedes it will take time. But one day, she hopes to reach her goal: “to work myself out of a job.” •
Every day your Realtor goes to work, for you.
WorkSafeBC is implementing mandatory licensing and certification to help keep workers safe from the dangers of asbestos.
Asbestos exposure remains the number one killer of workers in B.C. Found in dozens of items in older buildings, asbestos breaks down into small fibres as it ages or when it is disturbed. Touching or moving it releases the fibres into the air, where they can linger for hours. Anyone who repairs, renovates, or demolishes older buildings in B.C. is at risk of inhaling asbestos fibres.
Starting on January 1, 2024, anyone doing asbestos abatemen t work in B.C. will need to be trained and certified, and employers that do asbestos abatement work for others will have to be licensed.
Any employer conducting asbestos abatement work in relation to buildings will need a licence to do this work. WorkSafeBC will begin accepting licence applications in September 2023. More information on the requirements for licensing will be available on our website soon.
Any worker doing asbestos abatement work in relation to a building must be certified. Asbestos abatement employers will need to ensure their workers are certified to the appropriate level.
The level of certification workers need depends on the type of asbestos work they are doing — such as transportation and disposal, abatement, supervision, or surveying. To get certified, workers must complete a training program from an approved provider and pass a written exam. Exams will be available in multiple languages.
Only training from a WorkSafeBC-approved provider qualifies a person for a certificate. Certificates will be valid for three years.
Do you work with asbestos? Learn about new requirements for licensing, training, and certification.
BY KEN WINCHESTER
It all started with Sooke’s Seaweed Lady, Diane Bernard, who founded Seaflora Skincare in 1998.
“Poor seaweed, they have such a PR problem!” Just as we wouldn’t judge gardeners by their compost piles, Bernard says, we shouldn’t judge seaweed by what washes up on shore.
“We don’t call it slimy, we call it gelatinous.”
The entire coast of Vancouver Island is extraordinary for its sheer tonnage and hundreds of varieties of seaweed. But what is seaweed, and why could it become big business?
Seaweed is the common name for some 10,000 species of algae that thrive in the ocean as well as in rivers and lakes. They are some of the fastestgrowing organisms on Earth, capable of growing up to 30 centimetres per day. They harness the power of sunlight and nutrients in the ocean to achieve this extraordinary growth.
Seaweed species such as kelp provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other marine life and thus protect our seafood sources. Other species, such as planktonic algae, play a vital role in capturing carbon, and produce at least 50 per cent of the Earth’s oxygen.
Some seaweeds are microscopic. Some are enormous, like the giant kelps that grow in “forests” and tower as much as 30 metres from their roots on the seabed. Most are medium-sized and are classed in colours of green, brown and red. They are algae, not plants, without true roots or leaves; they typically grow from a holdfast on rocks and float up toward the surface.
The term “seaweed” is a misnomer, because a weed is a plant that spreads so profusely it can harm the habitat where it takes hold (consider kudzu or broom). Not only are the fixed and
free-floating “weeds” of the sea essential to innumerable marine creatures, both as food and as habitat, they also benefit us land dwellers.
Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. Their medicinal effects have been recognized for thousands of years. Ancient Romans used them to treat wounds, burns and rashes. Ancient Egyptians may have used them as a cancer treatment.
Certain seaweeds do, in fact, possess powerful cancer-fighting agents that modern researchers hope will eventually prove effective in the treatment of malignant tumors and leukemia. While dietary soy was long credited for the low rate of cancer in Japan, this indicator of robust health is now attributed to seaweed.
These versatile marine plants and algae have also contributed to economic growth. Among their many uses in manufacturing, they are effective binding agents (emulsifiers) in such everyday goods as toothpaste and jelly, and popular softeners (emollients) in organic cosmetics and skin-care products.
Seaflora Skincare, the company that Bernard founded 25 years ago, makes products for the largest organ of the human body: the skin. Seaflora believes that seaweed is the unsung hero of the skin-care world, a natural powerhouse teeming with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. These elements work together to nourish, soothe and protect the skin. But how exactly does it work?
Anti-aging: Seaweed is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids that fight against free radicals, believed to cause premature aging. Its ability to stimulate collagen production may help to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, leading to smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
Eczema: Seaweed’s natural antiinflammatory properties can help to soothe the redness and itching associated with eczema. Its nutrient-rich composition aids in strengthening the skin barrier, keeping irritants out and moisture in.
Rosacea: Those battling rosacea may benefit from seaweed’s ability to calm inflammation and reduce redness. Its cooling effect can provide much-needed relief to heated, uncomfortable skin.
Acne: Seaweed is a science-backed solution for acne-prone skin and recommended by many dermatologists. Its antibacterial properties can help to combat acne-causing bacteria, balance oil production and prevent further breakouts.
Psoriasis: The potent antioxidants in seaweed can help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis by reducing inflammation and accelerating the skin’s natural healing process.
Seaflora uses only wild, hand-harvested kelps, red algae and sea mud to maintain freshness and potency. The company became the world’s first U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified organic skin-care line in 2005, and has been honoured by the David Suzuki Foundation and the EcoStar Awards. Bernard retired in 2018 and passed the torch to the second generation, her son Adam Butcher (whose summer job as
a teenager was gathering seaweed) and his wife, Chantelle Line. The pandemic hobbled the business as spas and retail outlets closed, but their investment in website, online sales and social media was critical to their survival. They’re thriving once again.
Not far from Seaflora, another pioneering artisanal business harvests seaweed for food products.
In 2003, marine biologist Amanda Swinimer’s deep love of the ocean brought her to Vancouver Island, where she founded Dakini Tidal Wilds. For two decades, Swinimer has been sustainably harvesting wild, edible seaweeds. She shares her passion with a diverse audience through lectures, tours and as the author of two books on seaweed. The focus of Swinimer’s teaching is sustainability and respect for the fragile coast of the Pacific Northwest. Swinimer is an engaging speaker, and has taught at public schools, post-secondary institutions and to businesses.
Dakini makes a range of edible seafood products and flavourings. Its winged kelp and bull kelp are harvested by hand and tested for purity, then dried and packaged for restaurants and direct sale. Seaweeds are among the most nutritive and complete foods, and the most concentrated source of
minerals on the planet.
Kelps in particular are unique in their ability to eliminate certain heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins and radioactive compounds from the body. They do this via a compound called sodium alginate. This quality makes the kelp family one of the most important sources of protection against today’s harmful environmental toxins. Seaweed may even help you lose weight as it contains filling fibre, few calories and contributes to increased metabolism.
Just as important, seaweed tastes good. It can be added to soups to flavour the broth, cut into bite-sized pieces in stir-fries, cooked like a vegetable in pasta dishes, boiled with rice and beans or wrapped around fish and baked in the oven. Seaweed adds umami, a deep but gentle flavour with a delicate aroma. Sprinkling some dried seaweed (like Dakini’s Mermaid Shake) on food not only adds taste, texture and flavour, it’s an easy way to boost the intake of vitamins and minerals.
Not Just Sustainable,
Mike Williamson, CEO of Cascadia Seaweed in Sidney, is nothing if not bullish on Vancouver Island’s seaweed rush. Cascadia is already Canada’s biggest player in the seaweed business, and Williamson has his eye set on North America.
with the 25th International Seaweed Symposium.
In May 2025, Victoria will host an impressive gathering of industry experts, academics, Indigenous peoples and students at the 25th International Seaweed Symposium. The symposium is a triennial event organized by the International Seaweed Association. Dr. Kate Moran, president and CEO of Oceans Networks Canada at the University of Victoria, is coleading the organizing committee. Representatives from Cascadia Seaweed, the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association and organizers Venue West round out the committee, which is also seeking volunteers.
“Canada has the longest coastline in the world and our coastal waters are rich with life,” explains Moran. “The symposium is the foremost international gathering of individuals and organizations who conduct seaweed research, advance its protection, farm and harvest, and develop seaweed products. We are thrilled to be hosting the next symposium in Canada and look forward to welcoming global leaders to exchange ideas, learn from each other and forge partnerships, all while enjoying beautiful Vancouver Island.”
“Greater Victoria provides an exceptional setting for the International Seaweed Symposium,” says Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria. “The region has a strong commitment to advancing the marine sector and seizing related opportunities. By hosting the symposium, we can showcase our region’s remarkable talent, educational institutions and cutting-edge research facilities to esteemed global academics and industry leaders.”
YAM is Victoria’s highest circulation lifestyle magazine. YAM connects readers to the distinctive and authentic luxury of the West Coast. yammagazine.com
Featuring rich content and inspiring photography, SPRUCE empowers readers to make smart, confident decisions about everything from custom home builds to renovations and home improvement. sprucemagazine.ca
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Unlike Seaflora and Dakini, Cascadia is a large commercial operation answerable to partners and investors. But that’s not to say they don’t recognize social and environmental issues. Cascadia is a certified B-Corp, meaning it meets high standards of transparency and accountability. A key to its success is working hand-in-hand with coastal Indigenous communities to the benefit of both.
Says Williamson, “We have a strong commitment to our [Indigenous] partners. Participation by coastal First Nations is critical to the long-term success of the seaweed industry in Canada due to their
stewardship of the ocean.” Cascadia currently has agreements with seven First Nation communities.
Cascadia “farms” rather than wild-gathers seaweed, mostly sugar kelp. It has some 100 kilometres of line “seeded” — the largest in Canada. And its workers are careful to maintain future crops and marine habitat. Williamson scoffs when asked if Cascadia is sustainable. “We go beyond sustainable; we aim to be regenerative.” He goes on to say: “Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time.”
Cascadia’s farming process is straightforward. Sugar kelp prunings are
taken from wild plants in the fall, and their spores are spread onto twine wrapped around PVC pipes in a nursery composed of tanks in adapted shipping containers. After about a month, when the young kelps are smaller than a fingernail, they are transported to ocean farms, where the twine is rewrapped around long lines anchored a few metres below the surface. Here, they grow until early spring. By March or April, several-metre-long fronds are ready for harvest. The company leaves about 10 per cent of the seaweed behind as habitat, and to provide a source for the next year’s crop.
“Participation by coastal First Nations is critical to the longterm success of the seaweed industry in Canada due to their stewardship of the ocean.”
— Mike Williamson, Cascadia SeaweedCommercial seaweed production is measured in “wet tonnes,” but drying is a crucial step in processing it into fertilizer, animal feed and for human consumption. NIK WEST
Their products range from bio-stimulants (fertilizers) to animal feed, but they are continually developing other products, from protein puffs to tortilla chips. Sidney brewery Small Gods even partnered with Cascadia to produce a smoked dulse stout called Sea of Tranquility.
Cascadia has ambitious plans to be the biggest commercial seaweed producer not only in Canada, but in North America. Next year they’re aiming to harvest 250 tonnes, but their lofty five-year goal is to have 1,000 hectares under cultivation, producing 35,000 tonnes. They have spent some $3.5 million on Vancouver Island to date. Globally, the market is growing exponentially, and is expected to rise from $3 billion today to $9 billion in a decade.
Most people see the seaweed rush as a good-news story. The Safe Seaweed Coalition — an umbrella research and industry group founded to promote safe expansion of the industry — says humanity could, and should, be harvesting 15 times more seaweed by 2050. The coalition estimates that seaweed — high in protein and
nutrients — could add 10 per cent to the world’s food supply using just 0.03 per cent of the ocean surface. One study concluded that substituting 10 per cent of human food with seaweed by 2050 could spare 110 million hectares of land for purposes other than agriculture.
Seaweed feeds us, our crops and our animals; it promotes health and beauty; and it helps replenish the environment. So what’s the downside?
For one, there are a lot of unknowns. We know much more about every other commercial crop, like wheat or corn or soybeans. The record of aquaculture in B.C. — consider farmed salmon — is checkered at
best. And growing large quantities of a single crop could raise the spectre of monoculture problems. On land, monocultures pursued for high profit margins have notoriously proven problematic. Then there’s the issue of introduced species and their propensity to get out of hand in a new ecosystem.
Another concern is that seaweed is declining globally, by some 1.6 per cent per year. But despite the effects of global warming elsewhere, B.C.’s stock is thriving, say local marine biologists from Bamfield to Vancouver. With that optimistic appraisal, B.C. seaweed farmers are literally wading cautiously but purposefully into this brave new market. •
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Mirko Filipovic founded Themis Security in 2010. As a cop for 15 years, and now a security expert, he has seen it all. He evaluates each business, each building, by its “threat level,” that is, its location, type of business, and what kind of incidents have taken place in the neighbourhood.
The first level of security is what Filipovic calls “hardening” the building. This involves stout door locks, window bars and cameras. He works with Bullet Security to make this happen. This first step helps deter “door rattlers” — would-be intruders looking for an easy way into a building.
Then there are cameras and alarms. Security cameras have gotten more sophisticated, no longer producing fuzzy black-and-white images, but high-res and in colour. The problem, Filipovic says, is that cameras are more of an after-the-fact record of an incident, not necessarily a preventive measure. Alarms, too, may curtail a break-in, but not necessarily prevent it. Most smash-and-grab criminals know they have about 45 seconds before the alarm trips. That’s enough time to grab a till or a computer or an armful of cigarettes. And how many of us ignore alarms?
At our request Filipovic looked at activity reports from the last 30 days in downtown Victoria and this is what he determined were the top three security threats:
1. Loitering / trespassing on private property.
2. Individuals who are intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or suffering from mental health issues.
3. The threat of violence or use of weapons came in third.
“However in terms of risk and threat categorization, that list would be flipped,” says Filipovic.
Here’s a checklist of basic security features that every building should have:
Doors
Most business entrances have proper alarms. However, emergency exits are often neglected. Every entry, including windows, should have locks and sensors that trigger alarms that are in turn supervised, controlled and inspected.
Video
Modern video systems provide highquality footage that can be remotely monitored and managed. Cameras can record continuously, or begin recording and storing data when an alarm goes off. Experts recommend leaving them visible.
Lighting
Dim lighting makes life easier for criminals and more difficult for law enforcement. Lighting should overlap in case bulbs
go out, and the power supply should be protected to prevent tampering.
As part of your security strategy, ask the following questions: What happens when an alarm goes off? Who is notified, and how? Are redundant communications systems available?
Many businesses keep all files and devices forever instead of disposing of them once they’ve reached the end of their useful life. A closet filled with these assets is a gold mine for criminals. Outdated documents need to be shredded and old technology recycled.
During business hours, receptionists are often the first line of defence for businesses open to the public. Employee training should explain how to respond to situations.
The very presence of uniformed security guards is a deterrent in places like a busy shopping mall. For smaller businesses, they can be called upon to respond to everything from shoplifters to abusive customers in far less time than police.
Most telecom companies and internet service providers offer security programs at various levels of scrutiny and price. This includes increased monitoring of network logs, reminding employees to recognize phishing attempts and ensuring that servers are patched and updated for all known security vulnerabilities. Portable media (hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, etc.) are particularly vulnerable.
Forces of nature like tsunamis, earthquakes, extreme weather and pandemics can have a deadly impact on a small company. If disaster struck, what would happen? Who would be in charge? How would management and employees communicate? Do your employees know how to evacuate the building, or where to find is an emergency kit? How would you contact clients and customers?
The solution is an emergency operations plan that anticipates every contingency. Each employee, however small the business, should review and understand the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. Find VictoriaReady emergency preparedness information and resources at victoria.ca
The key to all security concerns, large and small, is this: Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. •
With an electric bike you can keep up in traffic, haul kids or cargo, arrive less sweaty at work or simply enjoy a little extra oomph on rides. And as of this year, provincial rebates and the removal of PST make e-bikes more affordable.
E-bikes break down into the same categories as conventional bikes: road, mountain and commuter, plus niches like gravel, cruiser, cargo and folding bikes.
The most important advice is to test-ride any bike before purchasing. A dealer can customize its fit for you, and some dealers also rent e-bikes, giving you a chance for an extended ride. Selectable gears make for a better riding experience once the battery is drained and pedalling provides the only power. Single-speed bikes aren’t as versatile.
Best of all, unlike an electric car, if you do run out of power you can simply pedal the rest of the way to home or work. •
Saddle: Think of the saddle much like a pair of shoes: You wouldn’t want footwear that’s too big or too small. So don’t automatically accept the default bike saddle. The dealer will help fit you to the bike. But they may charge extra for a more comprehensive bike fitting. This is a wise investment, particularly if you plan to ride extensively.
Move over, tennis: Pickleball is taking over the courts.
Cargo: Commuter bikes can be outfitted with all manner of fenders, lights, luggage racks, panniers and other accessories to make your bike more comfortable and useful.
Motor: Depending on the model, electric assist is applied either at the hub of the rear wheel or in what’s called a mid-drive, at the bottom bracket. Mid-drive models tend to be more responsive and typically route power through the bike’s
Everyone you know is probably playing pickleball. Why? Pickleball isn’t just popular, it’s the fastestgrowing sport in North America, combining elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong using a paddle and plastic ball with holes. There are more than one million players in Canada, and growing. It’s a game that appeals to players of all ages and skill levels. Rules for pickleball are simple, making it a great introductory sport. But it can also be a challenging, fast-paced and competitive game for more experienced players.
“People say that pickleball feels like playing ping-pong, but as if you were standing on the table,” says Ernie Medina, vice chair of the USA Pickleball Board.
While it might seem similar to tennis, there are some key differences. In pickleball, the serve is underhand. And with a smaller court, players don’t have to run as much or dive for shots.
Pickleball is played on a badmintonsized court (indoors or outdoors) with the net lowered to 34 inches at the centre. It’s played with a perforated plastic ball, much like a wiffle ball, and a solid composite paddle. Points are scored by the team that
Grip: Better e-bikes have a throttle to activate the electric motor, usually a twist grip or thumb switch. Most e-bikes have straight rather than drop handlebars for a more upright posture.
Battery: Some e-bikes have removable batteries that can be charged in a different location from the bike. Others have integrated batteries that are part of the frame. All e-bikes come with a charger; a typical range is 25 to 80 kilometres per charge depending on speed and terrain. It will take about 1.5 to two hours to get to the recommended charge of 50 to 80 per cent, and about four to five hours for a complete charge to 100 per cent.
Hometown hero Kristian Eligh returns to Vancouver Island.
gearing, which can help save battery power on hills and longer rides. When the electric motor is mounted on the rear hub, it can limit the number of gears an e-bike can have, which in turn can affect battery life.
serves, and teams play to 11 points and win by two points. There’s also a zone called “the kitchen” within seven feet on both sides of the net. This is the “no-volley” zone: You can only hit a ball from this zone if it bounces first.
Like curling, pickleball is also a very social activity, and a great way to meet new people. Matches are usually set up as doubles, whether with friends, family or strangers.
Pickleball may even be good for your brain. A 2021 study found that cognition improved in people who played pickleball for six weeks.
So exercise, socializing and brain power — except for the “thwack” that occasionally annoys neighbours — what’s not to like about pickleball?
Where to play, get instruction and join tournaments:
Various Victoria-area rec centres have courts and introductory courses, and there are plenty of videos online to get you started with the rules and lingo. Other resources include the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association and Pickleball Canada. •
Where to take a colleague, client or boss someplace fresh in downtown Victoria? Toptable Group, owner of 12 restaurants in Vancouver, Whistler and New York, has opened Marilena, their first in Victoria, with Kristian Eligh as executive chef.
An avid free diver and fisherman, Eligh has created an eclectic, seafood-y menu that delivers raw and chilled options (oysters on the half shell, yellowfin tuna tartare); assorted nigiri, sashimi and sushi; and a variety of small plates. Then there are larger entrees such as grilled Nova Scotia lobster, Hecate Strait halibut and Parmesan-crusted chicken. The dessert menu, by pastry chef Dominique Laurencelle, formerly of Boom + Batten, includes chocolate molten cake, vanilla bean cheesecake and key lime curd.
Bar manager Jayce Kadyschuk has curated a unique gin and tonic program and the expansive wine list includes Island wines as well as global varieties.
Its location at 1525 Douglas Street is a stunning new LEED Platinum building, and Marilena itself is a contemporary but warm room anchored by an open kitchen. Guests can also sit at an authentic Japanese raw bar. Says Eligh, with no trace of immodesty, “Simply, we want to be the best restaurant in Victoria.”•
Alex Van Tol writes and consults for leadership development organizations, entrepreneurs and SMEs. She has long been aware that life unfolds exactly as you ask it to.
people on a journey from their current challenges to a better place. A challenge where you yourself may have been a little stuck. A well-written book lays out the steps for what’s called a transformation journey. A satisfying journey is what makes a reader press your book into other people’s hands.
Readers are always looking for great ideas for how to approach their work more efficiently and effectively. We’ve all benefited from the great thinking coming out of business books over the years, from Brené Brown (six bestselling books worth reading) to Yvon Chouinard (climber, environmentalist and founder of Patagonia).
No, it’s not vain. It’s not posturing. It’s not redundant and yes, while another author has probably covered a similar topic, nobody has told the story in quite the same way as you will.
A book highlights your expertise, gives readers tools to solve a problem and takes readers one step further toward the world we’d all like to see. And aside from promotion, it opens up the opportunity for additional revenue streams. Here’s how to start.
Get clear on your why.
If you recognize your motivations in any of the following, writing a book may be your logical next step:
I want to leave the corporate world and start my own business.
A book helps me get speaking and podcast engagements, thereby broadening my (company’s) reach.
It’ll strengthen my reputation as a leader in my field. Get clear on what you want to say. A book isn’t just a place to share tips, it’s a way to take
But note: In books, just like in business, specificity sells. The leadership market is very competitive right now — Book Launchers CEO Julie Broad used the word “flooded” on a recent state-of-the-industry update — so you need a clear, tight niche. Find the angle that no one else is talking about.
Take yourself seriously.
There are as many steps in writing a book as there are in building a house: establishing a strong foundation, setting up a robust organizational framework, adding meat to the bones, refining the details. A book also requires marketing and distribution, making it an arguably more complex task.
Add to that the fact that your name is on the front cover, an underscore to your reputation. You deserve to get it right.
You’ve got three options: traditional, self and hybrid publishing. Industry expert Jane Friedman breaks each down in her annual Key Publishing Paths blog post, but here’s a quick rundown:
Self publishing gets you to market fastest, as you control the timelines. You write the book, hire an editor and hire out design, proofreading, typesetting, printing and distribution. Many editors and designers know
Publishing a business book is an opportunity to burnish your professional reputation. It’s worth doing well.
production experts, so ask for referrals.
You retain all profits after production, printing and marketing costs. You are responsible for organizing distribution, usually via Ingram and Amazon. If you choose to distribute yourself, you’ll be prepurchasing inventory and handling shipping.
In hybrid publishing, you pay an outside firm to handle production, from editing your manuscript to helping with marketing and getting you on podcasts. Book Launchers is one such company, as is Tellwell. Both offer free how-to advice.
Like all of publishing, this field is in flux. The sudden closure in late May of Scribe Media — a well-established publishingservices firm — startled the industry. Do your due diligence because costs vary enormously, along with editorial quality.
Traditional publishing offers that seductive stamp of legitimacy paired with a generally smoother path to publication. Publishers handle everything related to editorial, production, distribution and rights. The tradeoff here is in profit: You’ll take home maybe 10 to 15 per cent of the list price on each book.
Your manuscript needs to be turnkey to secure an agent and a publishing deal these days. Due to continued erosion of margins in the industry, publishers typically can’t provide authors the same level of editorial and marketing attention they used to, especially first-time authors. While publishers yearn to take risks on amazing ideas — after all, they’re creative types themselves — the hard reality is that in today’s climate they’re looking for sure bets. Niche your idea hard, write well and build a clear pitch. Invest appropriately in your project. If your book is meant to grow your business — and of course it is — add a line item to your budget and view it as an investment. Writing a book is a significant opportunity to establish your professional reputation, and it’s worth setting aside the time and resources to do this well.
Seek assistance with those parts that feel out of reach. If you truly don’t want to write your own book, hire a ghostwriter — but be prepared to spend a lot of time with them to get the story right. Whether you write it yourself or pay someone else, the fact remains: A book will demand your time.
If you want the pride and integrity of having written your message yourself but you’re overwhelmed at all the steps, hire a book coach. A book coach will help you determine a focused niche, build a solid
framework, keep you moving, provide a sounding board for your thinking and work with you through revisions. Many book coaches can guide you through self-publishing or pitching agents.
Prepare to market your book.
The days of publisher-backed book tours are largely behind us. Once your book launches, your publisher is on to the next thing. So regardless of whether your book gets picked up or you publish it yourself, driving its success is pretty much up to you.
Start developing your platform early, before your book hits the shelves, so people are excited about it. Use your contact list. Leverage social media. Write articles on Medium, or if you have the appetite to create a series, publish on Substack. Research 100 podcasts that speak to your ideal reader and ask to be a guest — or hire a company that specializes in podcast booking. Fire up ChatGPT and ask it for the top 10 ideas for marketing a business book. The web fairly bristles with tips and ideas.
Publishing agency Scribe Media asks three questions of every budding author before they put pen to paper. “What do you want your book to accomplish? Who do you need the book to reach? Why will that group of people care about what’s in your book?” Strong, aligned answers to those questions are the foundation of a successful title.•
Jim Hayhurst is a trusted adviser to purpose-driven organizations and leaders. He is currently active in six companies and social impact projects that elevate Victoria’s reputation as a hub of innovation, collaboration and big thinking.
Recently, an old high school friend visited me in Victoria. Both of us had moved away from Toronto nearly 20 years ago — me to Victoria and he to the U.K., then Silicon Valley — so our conversation invariably settled into:
How are you doing?
How are our old friends doing?
What does it mean to be at this particular stage of our personal and professional lives?
In so many words, we were asking each other, “What does your next chapter look like? And how do we make it as exciting and meaningful as the first?”
It wasn’t lost to me that we were having this conversation on Vancouver Island, a region attractive to both retirees and entrepreneurs. With neither of us considering another startup or putting our feet up permanently, he reminded me of the huge opportunity somewhere in the middle — especially here in Victoria.
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In remarks to supporters of Pearson College UWC some years ago, philanthropist and investor Shelby Davis explained what prompted him to give back.
“My parents told me there are three stages of life,” he said. “Learning, earning and returning. First get educated, then make money, then give back.”
While I disagreed with Mr. Davis’s rigid order (I believe in exercising generosity early, even when you think there’s nothing to offer), I loved the concept in general. Not just because it feels good to us “to be useful at a certain age,” but because it’s most valuable to others at that time.
I call this the “Sage Stage,” the point at which we have developed insights, skills and perspectives that come naturally to us and are simultaneously helpful to those at the beginning of their journey.
In his most recent book, Strength to Strength, Harvard University professor Arthur C. Brooks describes two types of intelligence: fluid (the ability to accumulate knowledge while young) and crystallized (the edited wisdom of age), as well as the importance of finding roles that use the latter to create purpose, meaning and, ultimately, happiness.
Not surprisingly, this isn’t a new concept. What might be new, though, is just how perfectly this city — and this time — are positioned for us to be our best. For, in addition to our “unearned benefits of place” (weather, natural beauty and a West Coast time zone), it seems we have slowly but surely built up other assets.
1. Youth and experience: Combine ingredients and shake vigorously. More and more university students are “staying to start” — launching companies and careers in Victoria because they love this place. What they soon find are older entrepreneurs, investors and advisers willing to help out.
Moreover, as hiring gets more challenging, companies see value in mixing and matching employee age groups to build demographic resilience and intergenerational learning.
2. Proximity and connective tissue: Keep sharing.
Let’s be honest: This is not a big city. So when someone is launching a new business, nonprofit or career it doesn’t take long to meet key people who’ve been down that road before. But it’s not just our size — it’s our nature. Twenty years ago, I heard all about the various cliques and perceived
walls in Victoria’s business community. But it just isn’t true. As an investment banker recently told me after meeting many of our tech startups and investors, “It’s like you’re post-competition here. The old guard isn’t guarding anything. It’s weird. But kind of great.”
3. The place to be: So let’s roll out Victoria’s new Welcome Wagon. The “silver tsunami” is coming. People living longer and healthier, seeking
intellectual purpose and return, and looking for opportunities to be part of exciting businesses. In the old days, when you moved to a new town, the Welcome Wagon would show up at your door and give you the lay of the land. Let’s do the same for our new arrivals, whether young or old. In order to stand out among the great places they may choose to live, or remain in, let’s match our best and brightest with … our best and brightest. •
DID YOU KNOW
Having suffered, then rebounded from the pandemic, the construction sector is cautiously optimistic about where it will be in 2033.
Construction is the No. 1 employer in B.C.’s goods sector.
The industry accounts for 9.3 per cent ($23 billion) of the province’s GDP.
More than 215,000 British Columbians rely on the industry for a paycheque. That’s bigger than forestry, mining, agriculture and fishing combined.
Number of credentialed tradespeople: 171,470.
Number of construction companies in B.C.: 26,262.
Average annual wage of B.C. construction workers: $66,590
Value of proposed construction projects in British Columbia: $226 billion.
Gains in renovation and maintenance are expected to offset declines in the new housing sector.
The majority of building investment is being made in power generation, affordable housing, transportation facilities, hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Residential building is expected to flatten in the next year or two, but rebound as interest rates stabilize and inventory increases.
The retirement of more than 38,000 workers has increased the industry’s requirements to 52,000 workers over the next 10 years. That may be its greatest challenge.
